My gauge cluster on my dash seems to lose power, my tach, speedo, mileage counter and everything stops working and then boots up again while driving ( like I started to car again )

Someone mentioned that it could be my guages fuse so I replaced it, well that fixed it for 2 weeks straight. I thought the problem was fixed but today it happened to me again. Someone also mentioned my battery could be going dead. The car has 62,000 miles on it and still has the factory battery. Is there anyway to tell if a battery is dying? Any tools available that could give me more info?

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Chris Anderson
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Black 99SS M6 all SLP Options
Mods - Cutout, Direct-Flo Lid, GMS MAF, Hurst Shifter with Chrome Handle, Bridgestone Potenza RE730 Tires.
Best ET 13.60 @ 104.31
Best MPH 13.92 @ 108.81

 

Check with your local chevy dealer. I'm also certain there is a technical service bulletin on this and they'll replace it for free..

 

Get a voltmeter. The batery should read 12 or higher. Check the battery again with the car running. It should read about 14 volts.
I don't think the battery is the problem. I believe there is a service bulletin about this. Check www.nhsta.gov, or www.helminc.com. They have SB summaries.

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2000 Camaro Z28 Monterey Maroon Metallic, A4 ,leather, 323 posi, Monsoon w/CD, T-tops, K&N

 

I had a similar problem, but it did it when I started the car. I would turn the key to the run position and let the instrument cluster come to life. Then, when I would start the car, the tach and speed gauges would peg while the other needles would "die", or fall back down, and my trip odometer would reset to zero. The instrument cluster in 1999 models has a "volatile" memory, or it's susceptible to low voltage conditions. Here's highlights of the TSB -

Trip Odometer - Automatically Resets to Zero
(Exchange/Install Instrument Cluster)

TSB# 99-08-49-009

1999 Chevrolet Camaro
1999 Pontiac Firebird

Condition: Some customers may comment that the trip odometer resets to zero when starting the engine.

Cause: Ambient temperatures below 0°C (32°F), combined with low battery voltage, may cause the trip odometer memory to be erased when starting the vehicle.

Correction: To identify the instrument panel cluster part number, use the following procedure ...

... If the part number is shown in the table as the old part number, install a new part number exchange cluster which has had the new circuit board with the non-volatile memory chip installed. Order the cluster from your A/C Delco(R) Service Center. DO NOT ORDER A CLUSTER FROM GMSPO.

PS - ignore the part about tehps below 32 degrees F - I live in So. Florida, and it was doing it when it was 92 degrees out!

Sounds like your voltage may be dropping down too low when something kicks in, like the A/C compressor or the fans.



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'99 Z28 A4 BLACK
▪ SLP air lid, K&N filter, air box mod, Borla exhaust, HPP3, 160* stat, Magnecor 8.5 mm wires, NGK TR55 plugs
▪ Pioneer DEH-P77DH, Polk speakers

 

Besides the instrument cluster problem, does your car make a chirping (belt squeaking) sound?

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'99 Z28 A4 BLACK
▪ SLP air lid, K&N filter, air box mod, Borla exhaust, HPP3, 160* stat, Magnecor 8.5 mm wires, NGK TR55 plugs
▪ Pioneer DEH-P77DH, Polk speakers

 

The stock GM batteries will barely last longer than the stated 3 years. Check the indicator light (little window on top of battery) it should be green, if it is faint or not lit at all, the battery is almost dead and needs to be replaced.

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99 SS, Dark Metallic Blue, M6
SLP lid, KN, TBB, SLP Y-pipe, SLP loudmouth
ported MAFs, Nitto 315 DRs
Currently: 1/4 13.06@113.8 (gtech runs high in mph by about 4mph), 0-60 4.77 (w/passenger) Gtech'd
12.99@110.2, 2.06 60ft - Tazzo.
Also, 331 rwhp as measured on the Gtech

 

Wow, first of all thanks for the replies...

Yes the car makes a squeek noise at idle (I can tell it's the belt) it's really loud when I am waiting in a drivethru line for fast food and it reflects off the wall of the building.

I will check my battery too when I get a chance. I bought the car brand new in 99 so I would imagine the battery is on it's last leg.

Thanks again for the replies

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Chris Anderson
--------------------
Black 99SS M6 all SLP Options
Mods - Cutout, Direct-Flo Lid, GMS MAF, Hurst Shifter with Chrome Handle, Bridgestone Potenza RE730 Tires.
Best ET 13.60 @ 104.31
Best MPH 13.92 @ 108.81

 

I just had that taken care of also (belt squeaking), and the car seems to be running better now - smoother electrically, if that makes sense, and less loading. On my '99, sometimes the headlights would flicker because of the belt problem- it's not doing it anymore. And probably has something to do with the battery not lasting that long, and possibly low voltage conditions causing the instrument cluster problems.

It's more than just the belt - the idler pulley and alternator bracket have to be changed out. Since the car was new, the belt has been turning "canted", or on a slight angle. Here's the TSB -

Accessory Drive Belt - Squeak/Chirp Noise
BULLETIN NUMBER: 00-06-01-008

SECTION: 06 - Engine/Propulsion System

DATE: March 2000

SUBJECT: Accessory Drive Belt Squeak/Chirp Noise (Install New Double Row Idler Pulley, Generator Bracket and Serpentine Belt)

MODELS:
1998-2000 Chevrolet Camaro
1998-2000 Pontiac Firebird
Built Prior to VIN Breakpoint Y2107225 with 5.7L V8 Engine (VIN G - RPO LS1)

CONDITION: Some customers may comment on a squeak/chirp noise coming from the accessory drive serpentine belt. The noise will be most noticeable at idle and low engine speeds.

CAUSE: The serpentine belt squeak/chirp noise may be caused by misalignment between the idler pulley and crankshaft pulley. A slight rocking motion of the idler pulley causes the misalignment, which results in noise.

CORRECTION: To correct this condition on vehicles built prior to the above VIN breakpoint, instal the new generator bracket, double row idler pulley and serpentine belt following Service Manual procedures.

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'99 Z28 A4 BLACK
▪ SLP air lid, K&N filter, air box mod, Borla exhaust, HPP3, 160* stat, Magnecor 8.5 mm wires, NGK TR55 plugs
▪ Pioneer DEH-P77DH, Polk speakers

 

Hey guys whats the URL to find these Service Bulletins?

 

The chirp had been getting louder over the past week and I seemed like the starter was struggling to turn (not enough power?). I also had to get a jump last week after leaving the radio on for a while. The last straw was the fluttering guages today at lunch. I got a new battery this afternoon and everything is back to normal...the car starts strong and I didn't hear the chrip when the engine was cold (although I'm sure I will again until I change the idler pulley).

I still had the factory battery and I've heard 3-4 years is all to expect out of an original battery anyway.

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1998 Z28
A4 w/2.73's

 

I paid $25 for a one-year subscription to alldata.com - very well worth it. Besides TSBs, they got alot of other info, like diagnostic codes, system descriptions, diagrams, parts locations, etc.

I'll keep responding to problems on the board though, whenever I can cross-reference the problem with the website.

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'99 Z28 A4 BLACK
▪ SLP air lid, K&N filter, air box mod, Borla exhaust, HPP3, 160* stat, Magnecor 8.5 mm wires, NGK TR55 plugs
▪ Pioneer DEH-P77DH, Polk speakers